Dirofilaria immitis Gp29 proteins and uses thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to D. immitis Gp29 proteins, nucleic acid molecules having sequences that encode such proteins, antibodies raised against such proteins and inhibitors of D. immitis glutathione peroxidase. The present invention also includes methods to obtain such nucleic acid molecules, proteins, antibodies and inhibitors. The present invention also includes therapeutic compositions comprising such nucleic acid molecules, proteins, antibodies and inhibitors as well as their use to protect animals from disease caused by parasitic helminths, such as heartworm.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An isolated protein comprising a Dirofilaria immitis Gp29 protein. 
     
     
       2. The protein of claim 1, wherein said protein is encoded by a nucleic acid sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 1. 
     
     
       3. The protein of claim 1, wherein said protein has an amine acid sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
       4. The protein of claim 1, wherein said protein comprises an amino acid sequence having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
       5. The protein of claim 1, wherein said protein has glutathione peroxidase activity. 
     
     
       6. The protein of claim 1, wherein said protein is capable of eliciting an immune response when administered to an animal in an effective manner. 
     
     
       7. The protein of claim 1, wherein said protein is produced by a process comprising culturing in an effective medium a recombinant cell transformed with a nucleic acid molecule encoding said protein to produce said protein. 
     
     
       8. The protein of claim 1, wherein said protein, when administered to an animal in an effective manner, is capable of protecting said animal from disease caused by a parasitic helminth. 
     
     
       9. The protein of claim 8, wherein said parasitic helminth is selected from the group consisting of nematodes, cestodes and trematodes. 
     
     
       10. The protein of claim 8, wherein said parasitic helminth comprises a nematode selected from the group consisting of filariid, ascarid, strongyle and trichostrongyle nematodes. 
     
     
       11. The protein of claim 1, wherein said protein, when administered to an animal in an effective manner, is capable of protecting said animal from heartworm. 
     
     
       12. A therapeutic composition capable of protecting an animal from disease caused by a parasitic helminth, said therapeutic composition comprising an isolated Dirofilaria immitis Gp29 protein. 
     
     
       13. The composition of claim 12, wherein said composition further comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of an excipient, an adjuvant and a carrier. 
     
     
       14. The composition of claim 12, wherein said composition is capable of protecting an animal against heartworm. 
     
     
       15. A method to protect an animal from disease caused by a parasitic helminth, said method comprising administering to said animal in an effective manner a therapeutic composition comprising an isolated Dirofilaria immitis Gp29 protein. 
     
     
       16. The method of claim 15, wherein said method is capable of protecting an animal from heartworm.